Hawkshead Vineyard - An Organic and Sustainable Winery in the Central Otago
Hawkshead Vineyard, established in 1995 by Denis Marshall and Ulrike Kurenbach, is a small boutique winery located in Gibbston, Central Otago, New Zealand.
The vineyard boasts a beautiful natural setting that adheres to a minimal interference philosophy that upholds preserving the environment while cultivating high-quality grapes.
Varieties of Wine
The first Pinot Noir vines were planted in 2001, followed by Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Rosé wines, giving visitors a variety of exceptional wines to sample at the Kinross Trading Post. The different grape clones are handpicked and fermented individually, then blended based on tastings from the barrels, producing stunning examples of Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.
Organic Certification and Sustainable Winegrowing
Hawkshead Vineyard is an Accredited Vineyard under the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Program, and it is a recognized organic Pinot Noir producer, known for its strict vine and soil management with minimum interference with nature. They believe that "good grapes make good wine", and their organic status is indicative of their commitment to sustainability.
Tasting and Visiting
Visitors can sample these iconic New Zealand wines at the Kinross Trading Post, located adjacent to the tranquil vineyard. The winery is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and bookings are preferred for groups over eight people. You can also take a self-walking tour of the picturesque vineyard while enjoying the beautiful birdlife sketches on their bottles, which are illustrations from Denis’ descendant, William Swainson, a naturalist who settled in New Zealand in 1841.
Location and Access
Hawkshead Vineyard is located in the gateway to the Central Otago wine region in both Queenstown and Arrowtown, New Zealand. It is the perfect destination for wine lovers who want to experience a small boutique winery, taste, explore, and purchase these delicious organic and sustainable wines while enjoying the stunning views of the Gibbston valley.